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A new policy against threats, insults, and racism is in order

July 4th, 2007Esra'a (Bahrain)

Last night, I was discussing with some of our executive team members the incident that took place in my recent post, which included a death threat and several racist remarks within the thread. Of course I get these all the time in my inbox, so I feel rather numb towards them, but others have been telling me how discouraging they are. No one wants to write here if such abuse was allowed. And considering the controversial topics being discussed here, abuse will be frequent if we keep ignoring it.

We collectively decided to enforce a stronger policy which will soon be re-written to help maintain the generally accepting atmosphere of this website. This means that if your comment has nothing at all except for a racist or abusive remark, it will be marked for immediate deletion. If it includes racist or hateful remarks within an opinionated and relevant comment – it will be edited, so that at least your opinion is still there. I think that’s quite a reasonable approach compared to most sites, who if they disagree will just delete your comment altogether regardless of whether or not it’s respectful! You will find a wealth of different opinions within the comments here, none of which are ever deleted or shut out. We really love and respect our readership and think that this site wouldn’t be what it is without them. I personally learn the most from the comments as opposed to the entries themselves, hence why I hate deleting anything (even if it’s calling for our death! haha)

Please note that this is not my personal decision, but rather one voted on by other leading members of this website who are diverse. This is not to imply that we will silence or censor any opinion – not at all. This is done for the sake of dialogue. The HEALTHY kind.

Other things that are not tolerated:

1) Revealing someone’s identity without their permission. Writing in such a network comes with huge risks, and several authors would like to remain secure/anonymous for their own reasons. Whoever wants to share their names will share it. Whoever doesn’t is not required to. Please don’t reveal their identity. Your comment or forum thread will automatically be deleted, and we have had to do it at least twice now. Security for us is incredibly serious. Lives can be endangered as a result of exposure.

2) Death threats. Even though we don’t take these seriously, it really harms this place’s reputation and discourages other interested writers to share their opinion or join our projects. We know that sometimes, a member here can say things that you are passionate about, and in the process they can really piss you off… try to contain yourself, instead of threatening to kill them. Otherwise your comment will be waved off as abusive and thus deleted.

We have been extremely lenient – allowing racist comments to get past us despite our policy expressing that we don’t, thinking generally that ALL material should be posted. Now we realize, after a good e-mail sent to us from a reader, that we should not tolerate this type of behavior. Why, you ask?

Dear Friends, I appreciate that you do not censor ideas or the expression of ideas. However, in your policy you state that attacking others, threats and verbal abuse is not permitted or acceptable. What is offensive to some is not so to others however, why permit the excessive abuse and discourtesy. It does not constitute censorship to delete the racist, threatening and abusive responses. If this website is mainly for openly attacking each other what value does it have. Is it not enough that the large immature children running most of our nations spend an inordinate amount of time doing just that and neglect the many opportunities to work for legitimate solutions to conflict and injustice? You could do so much more good by permitting subscribers to discuss and consult on the many issues with out resorting to attacking and downgrading each other with out purpose. What is your purpose in opening an avenue for
dialogue if it becomes merely diatribe! Thank and I hope and pray that you will succeed in your purpose as it is a noble purpose.

- Ernesto, a reader

We work really, really hard on this place. We invest more time in it than you can imagine. Please respect that and the hard working people behind this website, as much as you disagree or dislike them. That is the least we could ask for!

So, very soon, the comment policy will be replaced by a better and more active one. State anything you like, we won’t censor it, UNLESS it’s very violent, hateful, and racist in nature.

Thank you.

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11 Responses to “A new policy against threats, insults, and racism is in order”

  1. #1 Esra'a - July 4th, 2007 at 11:14 pm

    I forgot to note: if anyone insists on exposing someone’s identity, even on another blog which is just as dangerous… legal action will be taken. This is a huge risk, people’s lives are in question, it’s NOT a game. So don’t try it here, or anywhere else, please.

  2. #2 Drima @ The Sudanese Thinker - July 5th, 2007 at 2:28 am

    I’m in agreement. Phew!

  3. #3 Drima @ The Sudanese Thinker - July 5th, 2007 at 2:32 am

    We’ve been receiving too many haters around here. Another thing we could do Esra’a if the above doesn’t work well is to have a login for the comments. Only registered users will be able to comment. It will be easier controling the discusson that way. Just an idea.

  4. #4 Esra'a - July 5th, 2007 at 4:03 am

    Good idea, I consider MEY to be a small community, so although not all comments can be moderated the majority of them still will be. When our readership doubles, we can introduce better management.

    When the new layout comes out a lot of things will be way better organized, including comment moderation, so right now I am not worried. But if we keep attracting the haters who insist on being rude, disrespectful, and spammish we are going to kick them out in no time.

    Like it or not, this is our platform, and if someone hates it so much they are more than welcome to f-off and start their own blog.

  5. #5 Ray Hanania - July 5th, 2007 at 8:35 am

    Clearly this site is a threat to the racists and bigots out there who hate Muslims, hate Arabs, hate the idea of peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

    I think despite some very emotional differences that exist between Palestinians and Israelis, the fact that Israelis are on this site and that Palestinians are here with the Israelis is a statement in and of itself that this site is remarkable. Knowledge comes from understanding the other side and speaking to each other and listening and this site does achieve that.

    I’m proud you let me write here. I enjoy it very much. When I was at YnetNet (before moving to the Jerusalem Post), an editor pointed out that many of the haters who write the talkbacks attacking me personally were upset that I was writing on the same topics here, which I think is completely appropriate to do. A topic is a topic. A column at one place either can be reposted or addresses as a “blog” … blogs and columns are really different things, in my opinion, as a journalist.

    Anyway, this site gets the attention and I know it. (Even fromt he haters like Lawrence of B … whatever he is :) , and a few others)

    I’m looking forward to the new layout … I’d love to see something like Huffington Post if that’s possible. Showcase your talent and your overall product. You’re all doing a great job.

    I also support the suggestions to crack down on abuses that cross the line.

    Ray

  6. #6 A CONCERNED CITIZEN OF MEY - July 5th, 2007 at 9:40 am

    ZOMG… YOU DICTATORS… I KNEW YOU GUYS WOULD DO THIS. NAZIS-COMMIES!!! YOU ARE ALL JUST LIKE THE DICTATORS WHO RUN YOUR COUNTRY. I SEE NO DIFFERENT BETWEEN YOU NAZI ARABS… WHAT HAPPENED TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!! DIE IN FIRE YOU FREEDOM HATERS.

    KTHXCYA!

  7. #7 Esther - July 5th, 2007 at 10:16 am

    Concerned Citizen,

    You clearly know nothing about freedom or free speech. It has nothing to do with insults and threats. If an argument can be made, it can be made without insult. It can be made respectfully. Mideast Youth is not a country, a government, or a dictatorship. Our community has no obligation to accept written abuse and threats.

    Why do people think that just because MEY is on the internet that we have any obligation to allow people a forum for insults and threats? Unless, of course, your comment is meant as satire. If so, I recommend creative writing classes.

    Signing off! Dead in a fire,

    Esther

  8. #8 Jina - July 5th, 2007 at 12:05 pm

    We already have the rules in place, we just need to enforce them and I agree with A CONCERNED CITIZEN OF MEY. If you don’t have the fire, get on WoW and I will provide the fire.

    Mehh ignore what I wrote.

  9. #9 Marten - July 6th, 2007 at 3:07 am

    In order to maintain a good working atmosphere without insults, threats and racism, a “tougher” comment policy seems appropriate. The only pity is, that those retards, like “concerned citizen” or especially “mark”, cannot discredit themselves in public (at least here) anymore.

  10. #10 Esther - July 6th, 2007 at 8:11 am

    Jina, Can you explain your comment? I feel like I missed something.

  11. #11 Josef (Lebanon & Jordan) - July 6th, 2007 at 9:41 pm

    I know who concerned citizen of mey is! i think so, lemme check

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